Yemeni Army Chief Lauds Saudi Role in Arab Coalition

Sunday, 17 February, 2019 - 11:15

Aden – Asharq Al-Awsat

The Yemeni Chief of Staff Abdullah Al-Nakhai praised the role played by Saudi Arabia in supporting his country’s unity, security and stability. The Saudi-led Arab Coalition has helped place Yemeni state institutions in the hands of the internationally-recognized government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi after Iran-backed Houthi militias staged a nationwide coup.

Nakhai's remarks came during his meeting in the interim capital of Aden with the commander of the Saudi forces operating in Arab Coalition forces. The two officials discussed a number of security and military topics and means to reinforce battlefronts to finish off the liberation of areas still under coup militia control.

The Yemeni army chief confirmed that peace in his country will be achieved only by restoring the state to full power, disarming the militia, and countering Tehran ideology and support.

“Yemenis and support from Arab Coalition countries will stand to frustrate this project,” Nakhai said in an oblique hint on Yemeni Houthis actively working to disseminate Iranian sectarian ideology and advancing the cleric-led country’s agenda.

Nakhai stressed that work for the liberation of remaining provinces is still ongoing, with the eastern Taiz province being fully freed from militia hold.

As for the UN-brokered Hodeidah ceasefire deal, Deputy Yemeni Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hadrami said that the manipulation and delay in implementation by Iranian-backed Houthis threatens to thwart the agreement signed in Sweden. Not only does Houthi intransigence threaten to undo the deal, but also impedes the overall political process, Hadrami added.

Speaking during a meeting with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash on the sidelines of the 55th session of the Munich Security Conference 2019, Hadrami warned that Houthi evasiveness hinders opportunities for peace in Yemen.